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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
A classic for a reason. Definitely a little dated in places but overall a great cornerstone of sci if!
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
You know there was a lot I didn't like about this book.
The weird, paternalistic, Hobbesian, great-man politics that comes across in it; the obsession with nuclear power; the singular female character that turns up 2/3s through the book for the sake of being placated by a sparkly space necklace; the constant use of sudden, angry mobs as plot points; the piss-poor dialogue; how literally not a single one of the plot points is explained fully or makes any sense.
But to be honest I really enjoyed it. It was a wild ride. Would read again. Onto book 2.
The weird, paternalistic, Hobbesian, great-man politics that comes across in it; the obsession with nuclear power; the singular female character that turns up 2/3s through the book for the sake of being placated by a sparkly space necklace; the constant use of sudden, angry mobs as plot points; the piss-poor dialogue; how literally not a single one of the plot points is explained fully or makes any sense.
But to be honest I really enjoyed it. It was a wild ride. Would read again. Onto book 2.
adventurous
mysterious
“For space knows how long”
“Galaxy he hates me”
Ahhh Asimov, you atheist you
“Galaxy he hates me”
Ahhh Asimov, you atheist you
I see what Isaac Asimov is going for here: a portrayal of how a culture comes to dominate those around it, and the different means they use to accomplish this. It's hard to say what the author's feelings (positive, negative or neutral) on this phenomenon, but it's thought provoking, the way quality science fiction should be.
That said, the fast pace this book maintains through over a century of story and the mostly casual links between different characters means 'Foundation' lacks the drawn-out character arcs, or the detailed and complex narrative of, say, Herbert's 'Dune' or Dan Simmons' 'Hyperion'. (I'd also say – almost as a side note – Asimov lacks Simmons' gift for language.) In fairness to the author, this began its life as a series of short stories and only later grouped into a novel, which helps to explain the drawbacks I've mentioned here.
Will I read 'Foundation and Empire'? Probably. Am I desperate to get my hands on it? No.
That said, the fast pace this book maintains through over a century of story and the mostly casual links between different characters means 'Foundation' lacks the drawn-out character arcs, or the detailed and complex narrative of, say, Herbert's 'Dune' or Dan Simmons' 'Hyperion'. (I'd also say – almost as a side note – Asimov lacks Simmons' gift for language.) In fairness to the author, this began its life as a series of short stories and only later grouped into a novel, which helps to explain the drawbacks I've mentioned here.
Will I read 'Foundation and Empire'? Probably. Am I desperate to get my hands on it? No.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very good book. Not much action, but the characters kept me interested. I will be reading the next in the series.